Through four performances, Seth Hardwick was the only bareback rider with two rides in the 80s, but that changed thanks to Cole Franks and several other during the last two Saturday performances at the National Western.
Franks was 84.5 in Round 1 and 82 and in Round 2 to give him 166.5 points on two and the Average lead.
“I feel like just having that credential (third at the 2021 NFR) under my belt helps a lot,” he said. “It gives you a little extra confidence coming in, you know you’ve been on some of the best horses in the world.”
About a third of the field have competed twice so far, with performances to determine the Top 24 in the Average lasting until Friday.
Wyatt Denny (164.5 points) and Garrett Shadbolt (164) were the two other cowboys to be marked 80 or higher and jump Seth Hardwick (162.5) in the standings. Tim O’Connell, who is fifth in the Average, has the highest marked ride of the rodeo with 86 points on Mo Betta’s High River during Saturday’s final perf.
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